November 2018

Middleton’s girls’ volleyball team didn’t enjoy quite the level of success it was hoping for in 2018.

But the Cardinals still brought home some postseason awards.

Senior outside hitter Lily Welti and senior middle blocker Hannah Flottmeyer were named first-team all-Big Eight Conference.

Senior outside hitter Keller Frinzi was named second-team all-conference, while senior setter Rachael Roberts and senior defensive specialist Olivia Farin were named honorable-mention all-league.

Welti led the Cardinals with 260 kills, a total that also ranked fourth in the Big Eight Conference. Welti was also first on the team with 350 digs, which ranked seventh in the league.

In addition, Welti was fourth on the team in aces (31) and third in serves received (366).

“Lily was one of our tri-captains,” Middleton coach Franco Marcos said. “She was our go-to player. She led our team in kills for the last three seasons.  

There’s just one problem when you’re No. 1.

There’s nowhere to go but down.

Everybody guns for you. The target on your back is the size of Montana.

Middleton’s boys’ cross country team found that out the hard way last Saturday.

The Cardinals had a sensational performance at the WIAA Division 1 state meet where they finished second overall behind champion Neenah.

Just one problem. Middleton — the defending state champions — expected to be first again.

So when the final scores went up on the board at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids, Middleton’s reaction was predictable.

“The boys were pretty devastated when the scoreboard showed we placed second,” said Middleton coach Brian Finnel. “Any other year, we are probably stoked about second, but this is a unique bunch who expected to win. We had the pieces to win, but the stars just didn't quite align for us.” 

Middleton senior standout Caleb Easton agreed.

The streak goes on.

And not even a costly penalty could derail Middleton’s girls’ swimming and diving team.

The Cardinals rolled to a ninth straight Big Eight Conference title on Oct. 27, cruising to the championship in their own pool.

Middleton, the two-time WIAA Division 1 state champions, finished with 546.5 points to easily outdistance runner-up Sun Prairie (448). Madison West was third at 419, while Madison Memorial (415.5) and Verona/Mount Horeb (297) rounded out the top five.

“This was a very solid meet for us and a great start for our postseason play,” Middleton coach Lauren Cabalka said.

Amazingly, Middleton won despite having its 86 points from the 500-yard freestyle wiped away. In that event, senior Makenna Licking finished first, while senior Hannah Aegerter was second. Senior Anna Thomley was fourth, freshman Molly Haag was fifth, sophomore Sarah Foley was eighth and freshman Amanda George was ninth.

It was a memorable year for Middleton’s girls golf program.

The Cardinals cruised through the Big Eight Conference’s regular season and postseason. Middleton won regional and sectional titles, then finished second at the WIAA Division 1 state meet.

So it shouldn’t have been a surprise that Middleton was well-represented on the all-Big Eight Conference team.

Junior Kate Meier was named the conference’s Player of the Year. Sophomore Glenna Sanderson was named first-team all-conference, while freshman Ellie Frisch and junior Makenzie Hodson were both named second-team all-conference.

Middleton coach Becky Halverson was also named the league’s Coach of the Year.